Troon Vineyard Tannat Applegate Valley 2020

The Current Beverage of the Week Previous Beverages of the Week

Beverage of the Week (BOW)

Troon Vineyard Tannat Applegate Valley 2020

Product Story

This is the sixth Troon Tannat that we have sampled and it is our clear favorite to date (keep in mind that 91 points was our lowest score for a Troon Tannat). The 2020 Troon Vineyard Tannat is the best American Tannat that we have ever tasted. The Troon Tannat grapes are grown in the high bench land above the Applegate River very near the spring snow lines. Tannat is believed to have originated in the Basque region but it made its mark a bit north in the South West France appellation of Madiran. Joining Tannat in this year’s blend is 24% Malbec — a great accompanying grape. This wine was fermented (about 75% whole clusters) with native yeasts for roughly four weeks. After fermentation the wine was pressed and aged in neutral French oak barrels for 18 months. It was then bottled unfined and unfiltered. On the label you can find "A poppy" by Oregon artist Janet Ekholm. Poppies are a favorite of the local honeybees who help keep a harmonious and diverse plant life at Troon.

Brand Story

Troon Vineyard started quietly over four decades ago when Dick Troon planted vineyards in Southern Oregon. He sold grapes to local wineries but soon discovered that the best business decision was to create his own wines. He converted his barn to a winery and slowly built the brand until he sold the winery to his friend Larry Martin in 2003. Today, Troon Vineyard is owned by Dr. Bryan White and Denise White. The Whites along with Craig Camp, general manager, and winemaker Nate Wall lead the innovative wine making efforts at Troon. Nate has extensive winemaking experience in the Willamette Valley and brings a nuanced, almost Pinot Noir approach to winemaking. Craig is a wine industry veteran with a sharp palate, encyclopedic knowledge of the wines of the world, and relentless energy. Troon offers a wonderfully diverse selection of varietal wines and blends ranging from Malbec to Grenache and Vermentino to name just a few. Beginning with the 2018 vintage the fruit utilized by Troon was farmed 100% organically and biodynamically. All Troon wines were crushed by foot, fermented with only native yeasts with no additives of any kind. If you are seeking unique wines with style and gusto you need to get acquainted with Troon Vineyard.

Tasting Note

Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black currant, slate, and forest floor with supporting notes of black tea, graphite, and hints of violet. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, black plum, iron, truffle, and tamari. The finish lingers with chewy tannins and tart berry accents. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty, yet supple texture.